Prenuptial Agreements in Rhode Island

Signing a prenuptial agreement might not be the most romantic gesture. But for many couples, it proves to be a valuable asset that resolves some of the friction and conflicts that can arise in a marriage. A prenuptial agreement is not necessary for all couples. However, due to the benefits of a prenuptial agreement, those who do sign one are typically glad that they did.

Here are some of the benefits of a prenuptial agreement:

Resolve Common Property Disputes:
When a marriage dissolves, one of the most contentious issues is figuring out who came into the marriage with what property. There can be a lot of disagreement, and a lot of valuable property that gets overlooked. The benefits of a prenuptial agreement allows both parties to catalog their property so that it can be fairly divided in the event of divorce.
Make Special Arrangements Within a Marriage:
There are not two marriages that are exactly alike. And some people have very specific expectations for what their marriage will be. Couples who want to make arrangements within their marriage that have legally binding consequences can use a prenuptial agreement. As long as the terms are agreed upon by both parties, this arrangement gives either party a lot of leeway to define the contours of a marriage union.
Take the Animosity Out of Divorce:
One of the benefits of a prenuptial agreement is it acts as a divorce document. Many of the provisions have to do with when, where, why, and how a couple will split up. As a result, when a marriage ends in divorce the process is much quicker, less costly, and a lot less bitter. The simple fact is that many marriages end in divorce and the divorce process is often ugly. A prenuptial agreement can’t help you avoid divorce, but it can help you avoid a nasty divorce.

A prenuptial agreement can be a dicey topic for a soon-to-be-married couple. It carries a stigma of undermining the permanence of marriage. But getting a prenup doesn’t mean you’re planning your divorce along with your wedding. It is an excellent way to get on the same page with your future spouse on important issues.

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is a contract between future spouses on the division of assets in the event of divorce. It can also cover ancillary items, such as the education and religious instruction of the couple’s children.

How Does a Prenuptial Agreement Affect Divorce?

A prenup lets a couple decide ahead of time how their property gets divided in a divorce. Without a prenup, divorce judges and state laws determine who gets what. Thus, it can be a guessing game as to what you will walk away from your marriage with.

Different states have vastly different laws governing the divorce process. New York, for instance, gives a lot of leeway to judges to divide assets. The courts are instructed to divvy up property in a way that is fair and equitable based on individual circumstances. California, by contrast, splits all assets accumulated during the marriage fifty-fifty.

A prenuptial agreement takes these decisions out of the hands of the state and the judges. It lets couples come to an upfront agreement and get on the same page.

What Does a Prenuptial Agreement Cover?

A prenuptial agreement can cover almost anything not specifically excluded by the public policy. Some of the most common items found in prenups are as follows:

The division of wealth accumulated by each partner before the marriage.
The treatment of real estate and other assets owned by each partner before the marriage.
The property interests of either spouse’s children from previous marriages.
Alimony or spousal support.
How children from the marriage will be educated (for instance, public vs. private school) or instructed on religious matters.
Who handles the debt each partner brings into the marriage, or that which the couple accumulates together.
Inheritance matters in the event of one spouse’s death.
Who receives the benefits from each spouse’s life or disability insurance policies.

The best Rhode Island family attorneys can evaluate your finances and those of your future spouse and advise you on which items your prenuptial agreement should include.

What Does a Prenuptial Agreement not Cover?

There are certain items you cannot stipulate in a prenup. This is due to public policy laws. The courts decide on the following items at the time of divorce:

Child custody arrangements.
Child support obligations.
The right to the marital home.

Who Should get a Prenuptial Agreement?

Are you a good candidate for a prenup? An attorney can advise you based on your unique circumstances. In general, you might consider a prenup if any of the following apply to your impending marriage:

You Have Children From a Previous Marriage

If you are entering a marriage with children of your own, a prenup can protect their interests. For instance, if you have a college fund set up for your kids, you might not want it getting tangled with the finances of your new marriage.

There Is a Significant Wealth Differential Between You and Your Spouse

Think about the money Tiger Woods could have saved with a prenup. Most people reading this are not as wealthy as him. But if you are bringing substantial wealth or assets into a marriage, it makes sense to want to protect them.

If you are not wealthy but your soon-to-be-spouse is, a prenup can also protect you. It can keep you from walking away with nothing if your spouse ends the marriage.

There Is a Significant Debt Differential Between You and Your Spouse

Debt, like wealth, has to be adjudicated in divorce. If one spouse has a lot more of it than the other, you might want to decide up front who is on the hook for it if the marriage dissolves.

The same goes for debt accumulated during the marriage. What if you combine finances, but your partner is the one going on credit card spending sprees? A divorce judge might see that as joint debt and assign half of it to you. A prenup can protect you from that happening.

You Are a Public Figure (Or a Private Figure Who Wants to Stay That Way)

You’ve read the tabloids (or at least glanced at the covers in line at the grocery store). You know there’s nothing they love more than a juicy divorce story. When public figures get divorced, and one partner trashes the other on social media, word travels fast.

A prenuptial agreement can include a confidentiality clause. This forbids each spouse from bad-mouthing the other. It can’t protect every detail of your divorce from entering the public records. But it can keep it from devolving into a he-said-she-said gossip fest.

Contact Rhode Island Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer Susan T. Perkins

Remember that the benefits of a prenuptial agreement is exactly what you make it. Yours can be long and strict, or relatively short and generous. If you think that a prenuptial agreement is a smart option to consider before you sign the marriage license, contact Rhode Island Family Lawyer Susan T. Perkins Attorney at Law by calling (401) 324-2990